Thursday, March 26, 2009

The power of old sayings.

Don’t try to do it all by yourself.

As the old saying goes, many hands make light work. Considering many different opinions is a powerful force in generating new opportunities. Diversity in thought leads to creativity and innovation. The world is too complex in many situations for one person to know it all any more. Fresh input can make it clear that lots of the choices we think we have to make aren’t real choices (for example, there are many different TVs on the market but very few of the features are different). When opinions differ, don’t take it personally and focus on the issue, not the person.

Really embrace change - move out to meet it.

Since change is the norm, not the exception, either you take advantage of it or you'll be taken advantage of. Whether you change yourself or change changes you, look for ways to gain advantage from the change. You’re probably safest if you act first. What are you afraid of? Learn to identify and conquer your fears. Understand this and you'll improve your readiness to embrace change.

Take the initiative.

Dig the well before you’re thirsty. Gain advantage by acting first. Don’t be afraid of mistakes because without them, you can’t learn anything. Educate your instincts and trust them until they're proven wrong. As you move to a new learning curve, expect a temporary feeling of losing forward progress, of being out of control. This too will pass. “Do the thing,” said Emerson, “and you shall have the power.”

Keep a positive outlook.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Einstein said, "Love is a better master than duty." Real lasting energy comes from a positive vision of the future, from a belief that things can be better. Some people are one gene short in this department and it doesn't serve them well. As the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, wrote before the birth of Christ, “Our life is what our thoughts make it.”

Persevere, persevere, then persevere some more.

When one door shuts, another door opens, if you stay open and aware. Many successful achievers started out at a disadvantage in the field they eventually excelled at. They never stopped trying though, even when there appeared to be no hope. Timing is everything so keep trying until the time is right. So much happens by chance that if you’re not constantly looking, not constantly pushing the envelope, you won’t see the opportunity when it presents itself.

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been” - George Elliott.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in the 1800s that, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”

The abiding message of all the above? Seek and ye shall find..........